Practice-case for postal clerks



(No Model.)

L. ROGERS.

PRAGTIGE CASE FOR POSTAL GLERKS.

No. 334,473. Patented-Jan. 19, 1886 PATENT OFFICE.

LOVEJOY ROGERS, OF BURLINGTON, IOWA.

' PRACTICE-CASE FOR P OSTAL CLERKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 334,473, dated January 19, 1886.

Application filed April 20, 1885 Serial No. 162,763. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern Be it known that I, LOVEJOY Roenns, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Bnr-,

lington, in the county of Des Moines and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Practice- Cases for Postal Clerks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the artto whichit appertains to make and use the same.

As is well known, the clerks and applicants for clerkships in the postal service are examined, among other things, as to their skill in throwing or distributing mailmatter. The candidate for a position or for promotion stands before the distributing-case used in actual work. This is divided up into pigeon-holes of about the same width as a good-sized letter. Into this he throws the cards, which are used'to represent letters. These are common cards, a little smaller than a postal-card, on which are the names of the different post-offices in the scheme, or if an applicant for railway service, the names of the railroad on which the examination is based. In examinations on distribution a per cent. is allowed for actual knowledge, accuracy, and rapidity. Actual knowledgeis determined by the percentage of letters correctly cased or placed in their proper place preparatory to being tied up for dispatching out of the whole number handled. Accuracy is ascertained by the percentage of the number cased. Rapidity is the time consumed in casing the cards.

Now, my invention has for its object to provide a light, strong, cheap, and portable case for the use of postal clerks and applicants for clerkships in the postal service, by which they can perfect themselves at home; and with this object in view I have invented the case hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan View of my improved case partly closed, with one set of pigeon-holes removed, and Fig 2 a perspective View of one set of pigeon-holes.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The cabinet consistsof the two parts A A, of equal size, and hinged together at a,so that it may be opened or closed. The part A is provided with small projections b onits edge,

which enter openings 0 on the edge of the part A for the purpose of preventing the parts from lengthwise movement when closed. The part A is also provided with a handle and spring-clasp, which catches over a projection on the part A, and holds them together securely,so that it may be carried about without flying apart. The pigeon-hole cases B B are made separate from and of asize to neatly fit within the case A A. They are rectangular in shape, and have in this instance three upright partitions, G, and cross-bars D, running clear across from side to side of the frame to strengthen it. These cross-bars, however, may be omitted. Each of the upright partitions 0 has grooves or slots E, cut at equal distances apart on each of its sides, large enough to accommodate the slides F. Theinside of the frame has grooves or slots corresponding to the grooves E. As the frames of the pigeon-hole cases B B are constructed without backs, and each or" the grooves F made large enough to receive two slides F, it will be readily understood that one side of the case may be set with the slides having the names of the post-offices in any one State and the other with the names of the post-offices of another State; or, if used by railway postal clerks,with slides containing the names of the railroads or postal districts. All that it is necessary to do to change from one State or district to another is to simply withdraw the case and reverse it. The edges of the partition 0 and the edges of the sides of the frame are beveled,so as to give more room and allow the mailanatter to readily find its way into the pigeon-holes.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A portable practice-case for postal'cl erks, comprising the hinged parts A A, the removable and reversible pigeon-hole cases B B, having beveled partitions G, grooved on each side, and the removable slides F, said pig-eonhole cases being adapted to accurately fit within the parts A A, as set forth.

' In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LOVEJOY ROGERS.

Witnesses:

CHAS. BALDWIN, J r., G. S. 19001:. 

